The armed forces of the two and one half tribes (The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh) east of the Jordan had kept their pledge to Moses and had gallantly supported the other nine and one half tribes in their conquest of the promised land. Moses had granted these two- and …
In this passage Isaiah pronounces a sixfold woe upon the sins of the nation of Judah: Exploiting others (vv. 8-10) – By foreclosing mortgages, the wealthy land owners acquired all the time adjoining land to form huge estates. Drunkenness (vv. 11-17) – He describes peopl …
Evidently Jezebel had not been present on Mount Carmel, so Ahab reported to her what had taken place. Whether or not Ahab had thoughts of revenge is unstated. However, when Jezebel heard that her prophets had been put to death she was furious. Attacking the problem, she sent a …
The author, the Apostle John, calls himself “elder.” John was a leader in the Church and now is over 90 years of age. He is writing the letter to an “elect lady” (the church) he regarded highly and whom he is impressed with her testimony (v. 1). For all …
Paul points out that the Corinthian church was guilty of the same sins that the Jews committed…
In this passage the psalmist describes Israel’s condition. They were like a people who sit in prison. This confinement may be a result of the actual treatment of captives by the Babylonian and Assyrian soldiers. The cell is dark and the threat of execution hangs over them. They a …
Christians who are doing anything for Christ must learn how to deal with many kinds of rejection. One rejection can tip the scales weighted with hundreds of affirmations. Satan’s trick is to get our mind so occupied with a rejection that we forget all about the good things that are happening. Paul …
In this chapter we shift our thoughts back to Israel (v. 1). Jehoahaz, in the family of Jehu, comes to the throne and reigns for 17 years. It says that he followed the sins of his father by continuing the religious system established by Jeroboam (v. 2). Because of this sin, the …
Jesus knew that they would not accept His testimony alone. The Old Testament law required two or three witnesses for a man to be found guilty (Deut. 17:6). Therefore, Jesus supplied actional witnesses. His witness were (1) Himself (vv.30-31), (2) John the Baptist (vv. 33-35), (3) His works …
Though sexual impurity is a danger to be avoided (verses 3-8), loving other Christians is a practice to be cultivated (verses 9- 12). Christians quickly learn that they have a special kinship with other believers that they do not have with those outside of God’s family. You will e …